Beilein on Poole
I went to the Beilein show at Pizza House last night. Jordan Poole came up, and Beilein praised his play off the bench against Wisconsin, but then talked about the late turnover, saying that sometimes Poole plays like "Bambi on ice" (not the first time Beilein's used that analogy to describe a player who doesn't always stay balanced). I love Poole's skill and confidence (he rarely seems tentative even in tense situations), but he can also seem like he's all arms and legs, and a bit out of control.
Anyway, I expect him to be a starter/leader before long. This article from a week or so making the Vinnie Johnson/microwave comparision after his games against Purdue and Indiana does a good job of describing the spark he can bring to the team:
https://www.michigandaily.com/section/basketball/microwave-poole-raisin…
February 13th, 2018 at 9:19 PM ^
Poole is definitely going to be starting next year. Assuming Wagner leaves, I expect it to be a Simpson-Poole-Matthews-Livers-Teske lineup.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:23 PM ^
Dejulius will run circles around him. If Simpson starts it’s only to give Dejulius 15 games to get acclimated before giving up his spot.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:31 PM ^
It's clear Simpson improved substantially from his freshman to sophomore season.
While I think very highly of David DeJulius (because I think he's grossly underrated), the notion that a true freshman will replace a junior is difficult to believe.
If DeJulius is freshman Trey Burke/Chris Paul-level then sure. Otherwise, I expect freshman DeJulius to be the back-up if Eli Brooks doesn't step up his game.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:48 PM ^
But in this instance you’re spot on! This offense is way too intricate to plug and play in a season. DeJulius will play but if he starts it’ll be way up the road! Z has something you can’t teach at times if he was a good free throw shooter. He’d be a great player, at Michigan.
February 14th, 2018 at 1:37 PM ^
I would love to see Simpson spend a lot of time working with a shooting coach in the off season. He has good court vision and for a little guy, is a great finisher at the rim. The pull up element of Walton's game within Beilein's offense was underappreciated. If Simpson can develop something similar...it would be nice
February 13th, 2018 at 10:41 PM ^
Simpson is more entrenched in the starting lineup than either Poole or Livers. There is going to be competition at several positions.
February 14th, 2018 at 12:46 AM ^
I agree with that. But I highly doubt he'll supplant a fourth year guy, at least for the first half of the season. It took Livers half the year to start over Robinson despite being a far better player. If Matthews continues playing like he has during conference play, the door will be open a crack.
February 14th, 2018 at 6:42 AM ^
for playing time? I think it's more likely he would start alongside him. Most likely at the 4, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of Matthews moving down to the 2.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:53 PM ^
He is an elite defender. That, along with experience, ball handing, and passing is why he is going to be very hard to unseat as the starter. Shooting is nice, and it gives DD a higher ceiling, but he has a long ways to go to become a complete player in this system.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:58 PM ^
you'd think he'd have be in the top 100 recruits
February 14th, 2018 at 9:17 AM ^
I swear people say this all the time about true freshmen and the vast majority struggle in the transition. But I guess if you want to shit on Simpson, reasonable assumptions might as well be thrown out the window.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:22 PM ^
Was thinking this was a term he referred to when he was talking about Matthews, not Poole
February 13th, 2018 at 9:50 PM ^
Correct! But I guess it can be binary in this connotation.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:22 PM ^
We’re going to need a big year out of him next season. Kid has a bright future.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:23 PM ^
Beilein’s big focus for Poole this year has been teaching him how to play winning basketball. He seems to be catching the drift with some notable improvements in defense and passing. I agree with above... looking like a starter next year and a big scorer for this team for years to come!
February 13th, 2018 at 9:24 PM ^
Upvote if you confuse Poole and Watson every game.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:26 PM ^
Sunday on cbs, those guys were confused for a while. The resemblance and hair, from some distance is pretty uncanny.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:32 PM ^
But not at all once Poole is on the court
February 13th, 2018 at 9:35 PM ^
Ibi always looks like he's ready to mean mug someone, poole a little more poppy after the camera zooms in...
February 13th, 2018 at 9:47 PM ^
They are each reincarnations of Prince. I can see Dakich calling for “purple rain” from Poole in the near future.
February 13th, 2018 at 10:43 PM ^
Prince and Morris Day combo.
Come on now - FLY - allelujah!
February 14th, 2018 at 7:54 AM ^
Hallelujah
February 14th, 2018 at 12:04 AM ^
jersey numbers.
February 14th, 2018 at 12:50 AM ^
I got confused but lately it's been pretty easy: if he's on the court, it's Poole.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:41 PM ^
...if Wagner returns.
PG: Zavier Simpson / David DeJulius / Eli Brooks
SG: Jordan Poole / Ibi Watson
SF: Charles Matthews / Ignas Brazdeikis
PF: Isaiah Livers / Brandon Johns
C: Moritz Wagner / Jon Teske / Austin Davis / Colin Castleton
I think Adrien Nunez goes prep if we don't lose Watson or Davis as a transfer.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:47 PM ^
Nunez is in a post grad year right now at St. Thomas More. He already has played 4 years of HS basketball.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:47 PM ^
Hope to see Iggy at the 3 and Matthews at the 4 to start.
February 13th, 2018 at 10:38 PM ^
Iggy has 2 inches and 30 lbs on Matthews. As an added bonus, Iggy is left handed. Beilein tends to have the 4 playing on the right side offensively. A lefty has better shooting and driving angles from the right side of the rim.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:48 PM ^
Someone is going to depart early. I'd bet on two over just one.
February 13th, 2018 at 10:01 PM ^
Wagner and Watson. Your 2018-19 depth chart:
1 - Simpson/DeJulius/Brooks
2 - Poole/Nunez
3 - Matthews/Iggy
4 - Livers/Johns
5 - Teske/Davis/Castleton
I think Matthews is the true X factor. He's got the tools. Just got to figure it out. I'm betting he will.
This is a really good roster. Though I think the 2019-20 team may be the one with the Final 4 potential.
February 13th, 2018 at 10:15 PM ^
I see him returning for his senior season barring an epic Mitch McGary-esque run in the NCAAT.
If he's in a Michigan uniform, then I expect us to be a top-5 to top-10 team in 2019.
But I agree that the 2020 team sets up to be a FInal Four caliber team.
February 13th, 2018 at 11:02 PM ^
If he wants to go pro, he’ll leave this year. If he likes school enough and feels there’s unfinished business, he’ll come back, but it won’t be because he got a 2nd round grade again. He’d get that next year also.
February 13th, 2018 at 11:07 PM ^
A great senior season can push him into the high teens / low twenties.
In some ways, Wagner is our Kaminsky. The latter benefited by returning for his senior season.
February 13th, 2018 at 11:38 PM ^
I love Wagner and hope he stays, but nothing I’ve seen from him this year gives me any confidence he’d turn into the defender he needs to be to be picked in the 1st round. He doesn’t alter shots, gets out of position, and commits some bad fouls. I don’t think it’s for lack of effort — he’s just not an instinctual defender, and even in today’s NBA where you shoot from half-court, bigs still need to be able to defend, or at least look like they can learn.
February 13th, 2018 at 11:59 PM ^
mainly because if next year goes really well, Poole or Livers might not be back. I think Poole has B1G PoTY potential as early as next year, and may go the Stauskas route. Livers is more of an NBA athlete already, and if he can polish his game off over the summer we might not have either of those guys come 2020.
February 13th, 2018 at 10:51 PM ^
one badass looking roster. Can't remember a potential 10+ deep Michigan team with this much balance between shooting, quickness and size. The 88-89 team perhaps comes to mind, but that team really only went 8 deep at most.
Going to be a fun few years of Michigan hoops! Go Blue!
February 14th, 2018 at 2:39 AM ^
Would like a word with you.
February 14th, 2018 at 6:52 AM ^
Griffin started.
Hughes and Higgins were major contributors off the bench. Kirk Taylor was the other player in the rotation before his injury. Calip took over his role in the tournament.
February 14th, 2018 at 10:47 AM ^
I had a senior moment, as I was sure Griffin started and don't remember Voskuil playing for that team. Appreciate the confirmation.
February 17th, 2018 at 4:19 PM ^
Still loved all those guys though
February 13th, 2018 at 10:05 PM ^
assuming their FT% is average
February 13th, 2018 at 9:50 PM ^
Of big ten championship and possible natty bid. That team is going to be stacked
February 13th, 2018 at 10:02 PM ^
you're assuming Wagner returns?
February 13th, 2018 at 10:05 PM ^
To electrify the crowd when he is on. Hoping to see this more as we approach the Big Ten tournament and March Madness.
February 13th, 2018 at 10:15 PM ^
Wagner will be back. Simpson will start. DeJulius will give us that spark at the backup PG spot we haven't had since Spike
February 13th, 2018 at 10:29 PM ^
This is what i would like to see. Simpson, Poole, Matthews, Livers, Wagner. DeJulius, Teske, Brazdeikis, John’s. Next years freshman seem really talented, could be in a good spot when they can all learn and come off the bench.
February 14th, 2018 at 2:36 AM ^
About Brooks? Hope he gets some PT and keeps getting better.
February 14th, 2018 at 8:27 AM ^
DeJulius wll be starting next year at some point. He can 1. Shoot the three, 2. shoot the three of the dribble, 3. Make free throws.